Nuggets definitely could have made a run in West but Pacers unlikely. Pacers have size on Miami but they can't keep up with their pace and flow on the court. I believe Knicks are the only team which can give Miami a headache. Even with that in mind they can only do so if they shoot consistently and keep low number of turnovers.

GREEDY PUNK PAUL ALLEN, THIS LOSS IS ON YOU."I don't give a crap WHAT you gotta pay, Kam is worth it and I don't want to lose a shot at another SB cuz you - a freaking BILLIONAIRE, are cheapskating Kam over a freaking $900,000.You cheapskate." SalishHawkFan SEP 13, 2015 1:47 PM

The East has some pretty boring match ups, the only one I'm interested in watching is Brooklyn vs Chicago, of course I'll watch the Heat games because for some reason I mowzied my ass onto their bandwagon when I realized I was rooting for them as hard as I would my own teams.

If they had Mamba, aka the Ray Lewis of hoops, I would be with you. But Pau and Dwight are pansies.

I think if they could give the Spurs a run for their money IF they're willing to bang it out down low with them, and give that extra mile physically in the paint, I think ultimately D'Antoni will screw 'em over though.

I agree, pehawk. The Nuggs were gonna take the West prior to the injury bug. It's likely going to be OKC coming from the west BUT Memphis isn't going to be an easy out, even though I think they'll struggle with LAC, and could possibly lose.

Out east. It's the Heat's playoffs to lose BUT I think that the team with the "best" chance to beat them is NYK. If those teams end up getting matched up the Knicks are the only team that has a any real chance, and I think it's relatively small. They could get hot though, and shoot their way past them ala the '09 Magic. Not likely to happen, but it could.

My favorite team out East is the Pacers. What injury trouble are they in? Something beyond Granger? I follow the NBA but not night to night, and I could have missed something. I think they're a great team, but (excuse the cross-sport reference ahead) they remind me of the 01' Mariners - or any recent Spurs team. GREAT regular season team, but you need a TRUE go to player at times in the playoffs - especially when the same team sees you for a week+ straight, and I don't think Danny Granger is it, (irrelevant now) and Paul George could be, but isn't quite there yet.

Hopefully not! Rings for Rashard Lewis and another for Ray Allen! Heat are practically the defenders of all that's right in the world IMO, got 2 former Sonics chasing rings, not to mention GP got his ring in Miami, and they beat the Thunder in the finals last year.

jack_patera wrote:f*** the nba...that shit's boring..and this coming from a black guy...let's get the real shit started...nhl baby!!

Why even bother posting this in this thread? This is for discussion about the NBA playoffs. It should go without saying that you should have at least somewhat of an interest in them before you post here. there are other threads where you could just generically discuss your feelings towards the NBA, but this isn't one of them.

Back on topic, I was glad to see the Dubs pull one out in Denver last night. That's a tough place to steal a W, and Stephen Curry is quickly becoming one of my favorite non-Thunder players. He's a delight for basketball purists and casual fans alike. Just makes plays and has delightful skill at the point. If they can pick up a really solid Center and a good 2-guard (Not buying Klay Thompson), then I think they could be a legit contender.

Heat are gonna roll. Bulls/Nets shouldn't be an interesting series, but because PJ Carlesimo sucks, it will be. Celtics are done. Knicks look really good. I Hate JR Smith, I think he's funny-looking, but damn can he play. Lakers are done. Had Kobe been healthy, I think they might have made a bit of a run, but without him they're dead in the water. I'll be watching the thunder tonight, natch. Have a feeling they're gonna sweep the Rockets. Clippers might sweep the Griz, which is unexpected for me. Can't count the grizzlies out, but Paul and griffin look to be dialed in right now. Hawks/Pacers should be a sweep for the Pacers.

Serisouly, i've smacked my head and given myself many concussions lately over people getting on this, like STFU!

Why people are criticizing him is well beyond me, though maybe they can understand Rose's body better than he does? It was still less than a year ago that he actually had the surgery. Look at his track record, guy has worn Chicago on his sleeve his whole life, i'm sure it's killing him not to be out there but he dosen't think he ready mentally for whatever reason and it's not my business. They'll be playing against the Heat which is totally different than just some 5 on 5 practices.(Also what the hell's the point, Bulls are a good team but realistically they have no chance, and Rose would have little effect after a year off.)

GCrow wrote:Serisouly, i've smacked my head and given myself many concussions lately over people getting on this, like STFU!

Why people are criticizing him is well beyond me, though maybe they can understand Rose's body better than he does? It was still less than a year ago that he actually had the surgery. Look at his track record, guy has worn Chicago on his sleeve his whole life, i'm sure it's killing him not to be out there but he dosen't think he ready mentally for whatever reason and it's not my business. They'll be playing against the Heat which is totally different than just some 5 on 5 practices.(Also what the hell's the point, Bulls are a good team but realistically they have no chance, and Rose would have little effect after a year off.)

I dont think i've ever heard of any player being medically cleared to play, and not playing, in any sport.

Whether he knows his body or not, the doctors know that field better then he does. He's getting paid millions and millions of dollars, if the doctors say its safe for him to play (and he's been playing for months in practice) dude shoudl be playing.

JSeahawks wrote:I dont think i've ever heard of any player being medically cleared to play, and not playing, in any sport.

Whether he knows his body or not, the doctors know that field better then he does. He's getting paid millions and millions of dollars, if the doctors say its safe for him to play (and he's been playing for months in practice) dude shoudl be playing.

Every person is different, and participating in practice and going up against the Heat after a year off are quite different. The guy wants to come back healed and better than ever. Why risk any setbacks in coming back early, namely in a series where they'll - likely - win 1 game at most? And I believe he's proven he puts the team over himself.

I do however wish he would just come out and say he will not play until next year, and end all this hoopla.

On Rose, I was on his side, until I basically saw the Bulls running me out there due to a lack of bodies. The bodies that were out there had AIDS related pneumonia, or something very similar. He lost me....